Olivier Messiaen

Olivier Messiaen, born on December 10, 1908, in Avignon (Vaucluse) and died on April 27, 1992, in Clichy (Hauts-de-Seine), was a French composer, organist, and pianist.

His work was inspired by his deep Catholic faith, a pronounced taste for medieval plainchant, the science of birdsong, and Indian (Taal) and Greek rhythms. Notable works include L'Ascension (1933), Quatuor pour la fin du Temps (1940), Vingt Regards sur l' Enfant-Jésus (Twenty Gazes on the Child Jesus) from 1944, Turangalîla-Symphonie from 1946-48, the opera Saint François d'Assise (Saint Francis of Assisi) and the Messe de la Pentecôte (Pentecost Mass), among other major works, contributed to making Olivier Messiaen one of the most influential composers of contemporary music in the second half of the 20th century.

His teaching at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris also contributed to his international renown, particularly through the number of students he trained and influenced.